The return of "Stumpy"

“A pair of jays have been visiting our garden quite frequently since the winter. About 10 days ago I noticed one of them sitting on a branch with one leg dangling down. It then moved across to the hanging mesh feeding tray and managed to cling on with one leg while tilting sideways and balancing with wing slightly outstretched. It continued to visit for about another 5 days, gradually getting more adept at managing life with this leg dangling uselessly.

I was surprised to see him three days ago with nothing dangling and thought the lower part must have been severed but as these photos show, he seems to have it somehow tucked up forward out of the way. It’s always in this position now so I assume it’s become set this way.

Life can’t be easy for him so I try to ensure there is always plenty of food available.

He has no trouble hopping around on the ground but prefers the feeders, I suppose he feels less vulnerable.

Sorry the pics aren’t very clear but I didn’t want to risk disturbing him by getting any closer.
I wonder how long he can survive."

It’s now 8 months later and I’m delighted to say that “Stumpy” and his mate visited our garden again recently, thanks to the snow bringing them in searching for food. (Good to know the snow is good for something!)
They both made an attempt at getting on the feeding tray but snow on the branches made things difficult, especially for Stumpy who kept sliding down them! I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo as they didn’t stay long but I hope they’ll come again and pose for me!

Lily thats great, its very rewarding to know when one has succeeded in helping them survive, even more so when one is as easily recognizable as your friend in the pic,he obviously remembers finding food in your garden...

Thanks Sticki, you've got to be looking at just the right time to see them as they're so nervous in gardens being woodland birds really. Yes they do seem to like peanuts.
Oh little ones would be a real treat Steragram, I live in hope!
I was amazed to see him back again Sue as I thought he may well have died from the injury or it's limitations. This is the first bad weather since he's been disabled so fingers crossed. We never really know if our efforts help them do we but it's just a delight to have them in our gardens :o))

Clearly not Bilbo and I understand why but I remain unrepentant. I'm well aware of the unattractive eating habits of Jays (amongst others) having witnessed one snatch a baby blue tit in flight. Very distressing to witness of course but only nature at work as we'd be overrun with bluetits should all of their very large broods survive. To prevent a slow death by starvation and for any other reason too, I would always assist an injured creature in whatever way possible. With wild birds and animals, making food readily available is usually all we can do. If my efforts did help then I'm delighted and if not then other more "acceptable" birds will have benefitted from an easy lunch.

I hope he will go on, Lil. Close to our house there are wintering wild ducks. One of them is living here for several years because his wing is broken and he is not able to fly. Still surviving, althou due to this hendikep is not always able to fight for his meal and is slimmer then others. That is why I am feeding them during the winter. Yesterday I saw a lost dog in the street, very apathic, he laid in front of somebody´s gate to garden, curled into a ball. So I went to shop, bought a good piece of ham and fed him. Final slices he was catching up in the air, lol. After ham without eggs breakfast he started joyfully waggle and run here and there. How little he needed just to enjoy life again.
Yes Lily, we do not like to watch suffering innocent creatures.

Hi Val, yes we'd given up on him too but nature is full of surprises :o))
Ah you have a kind heart Katarina, a little bit of kindness can often make such a big difference. I expect that poor dog will be looking out for you now and want to come home with you. That is until he met up with your three cats! Talking of our adorable cats they are a major menace to birds and don't even catch them for food but we love them regardless don't we? Fortunately my cat catches them rarely. We too had a goose with a damaged wing at our nearby lake for several years, he kept apart from all the others but seemed to manage OK. I think a lot of people used to feed him :o))

Thank you Rose they certainly are attractive birds, made even more so by their elusiveness. To get these pics I had to crawl across the floor, camera at the ready and gradually raise my head and camera above the window sill! LOL

Oh yes Shirley I was thrilled but haven't seen him since, probably because the weather hasn't been bad. When I took those pics it was May/June which is an unusual time for them to visit but I suppose it was because of his limitations he came to my fast food restaurant! :o)